Sunday, October 3, 2010

Black Diamond Drift

Sometimes you want to go fat without the unseemly weight gain. A fast-and-light backcountry powder seeker, the Black Diamond Drift was built to maximize your soft-snow obsession. Its wide, soft-flexing, early-rise tip provides maximum flotation, a super smooth turn and easy trail breaking. So whether you're hunting for extra vert on a pre-work dawn patrol or need the legs to crank out one more skin-track lap on an all-day powder session, the lightweight, 100 mm-waisted Drift is your tool.

  • Semi-rockered tip and a 100 mm waist for easy trail breaking on the up and effortless surfing on the down
  • Lightweight paulownia wood core surrounded by Torsion Box construction
  • Formula One Technology with carbon fiber reinforcements for maximum torsional stiffness
  • Flat tail with SkinLock for solid anchors and secure, durable skin attachment while maximizing running length

New from K2 the ObSethed and SideStash

Whether tracking out your hidden in bound stashes or ducking the ropes to harvest week-old pow, the 2010-11 SideStash might just be the perfect tool. As you tick off your hit list, the All-Terrain shovel rocker in this adventure ski provides both the floatation and predictability needed to flash wide-open slopes and the nimbleness required to charge tight chutes. When the frenzy’s over, the powerful metal-laminate Hybritech sidewall construction in the K2 SideStash ski delivers a smooth, damp, stable ride as you confidently blast through leftover crud.


Performance: Variable Snow 20%; Soft Snow 80%
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Radius: 23m@174
Construction: Metal Laminate Hybritech sidewall
Core: Aspen/Paulownia
Weight: 2070g@ 174



Obsethed
For 2010-11 Seth Morrison incorporated more Rocker on a new wider 117 mm chassis to create the ultimate tool to charge big mountains and backcountry zones, yet versatile enough (like his previous Pro Models) to ski in the resort. The new Powder Rocker design in the K2 ObSETHed eliminates tip dive and breaks through crud, crusts and chopped up conditions. Add to this Factory Team ski Progressive Sidecut and camber underfoot and you have a twin tip ski perfect for any conditions or terrain. That’s Seth looking out for the hard charging masses!


Performance: Powder: 70% Park: 30 %
Sizes: 169, 179, 189
Radius: 23m @ 179/Directional Taper
Construction: Twin Tech with Vertical ABS Sidewall
Core: Fir, Aspen
Binding Options: Griffon Schizo Frantic or Flat

ABS Airbag backpacks now in stock

According to resent studies the best way to survive an avalanche is by adding one of these packs to your tool kit.

Alpine Quest will be carrying the latest in airbag backpacks. Come by and check them out. The ABS packs are already in stock. Here is a video grabbed from youtube of a guy inflating his pack for a test. You can find out more about ABS by clicking HERE. Make your backcountry experience as safe as possible this season. The staff at AQS will show you how.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Vail Whitewater Park Demo wrap up

This spring, every Tuesday John O'Neill and Ross Herr hosted free playboating clinics at the Vail Whitewater Park. The park is very unique because we are able to adjust the wave to suit the abilities of the people showing up. It can be anything from a friendly wave to an aggressive competition hole. The last demo on July 6th was a great way to really put the adjustability to the test. The water was very low and any other whitewater park would not be usable. Luckily these two instructors cannot be stopped when it comes to creativity and putting on a great show for the crowds.

While John threw down in his kayak, Ross decided to give it a go on a Stand Up Board. Here are some pictures from that day.
Here is Ross paddling through the wave.
John throwing down.
Ross avoiding the rocks above the wave.
John doesn't need no stinking paddle.
JD was there trying out a Liquidlogic Biscuit 65.
After several attempts John was getting frustrated with Ross not falling into the icy waters of Gore Creek so he decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. Here he is about to swan dive off the banks to get Ross.
His attempts failed! But Ross eventually took several swims in the river that day.

We all hope to see the community out there with us next year. If you are still in the area and hoping to try out the latest playboats or learn some new skills please come join us in Glenwood every Tuesday from 5-dark. We will be announcing specials and giving away prizes. You can keep track of it on Facebook by fanning us here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Edwards-CO/Alpine-Quest-Sports/44466145862?ref=ts&__a=6&ajaxpipe=1

Until next time, SYOTR

The Crew @ AQS

Monday, June 28, 2010

2010 Pyranha Molan Review

Luke came by the paddle with the pros event on Friday and wanted to share these words on the new Pyranha Molan.
Boat: 2010 Pyranha Molan Medium

Height- 5’9”

Weight- 30.8 lbs.

Width- 25”

Volume- 56.5 Gallons

Playboating, I’ve got a descent loop, cartwheels, and airscrew/pan-am if the conditions are right. I’m 18 years old, 6’1” on a normal day, and 160 lbs. with size 10.5 feet. My typical boat is an ’08 Jackson allstar, but I’ve gotten the chance to paddle lots of other boats including the 2010 Allstar, Wavesport Project 52, etc. Playboating, I’ve got a descent loop, cartwheels, and airscrew/pan-am if the conditions are right. Hopefully this gives you a good idea of where this review is coming from.
First Impression: This boat is FAST! Both on waves and moving through the water, which made ferrying into the Glenwood Wave at 7500 cfs very easy. It felt a bit less stable than the 2010 Allstar, but not enough to wipe the smile off my face and certainly something that was overcome within five minutes on the water. Once on the wave, the slim profile of the boat really shines and the quickness edge to edge gives it a playful feel unlike any I’d really experienced before. The boat felt very balanced on the wave and I never experienced the edges feeling tippy or any sort of catching or hanging up. Carving was something I’d more or less forgotten about since paddling the rounded edges of the Allstar, but this boat carves really hard, without loosing control. Blunts were very easy to initiate with a clean and loose bow release (opposite of the Allstar’s stern release) and spins were pleasant and easily initiated as well. There was plenty of foot room, which has been a big factor in my choosing of boats lately. I found that the connect 30 outfitting left nothing to be desired, unlike the typical pull-cords found in Jackson’s and sometimes bad back band in the Wavesport.
Overall Impression- After a few years of sub-par designs, Pyranha has released a winner. This is a boat with real rails and a different design than most other playboats. It’s short, yet this doesn’t compromise its quickness at all and the smaller width gives it the playfulness never really found in other kayaks this size.
Bottom line- Look to the Molan if you want a kayak built for the playboater looking to boost their game with high flying loops, big bounces and a quick initiating hull with control, or the all-around kayaker in search of a do-it all large volume boat. I’m excited to see a boat that will really compete with the Allstar at any playspot you throw at it. See you on the water!

-Luke Lubchenco

Friday, June 18, 2010

Kayak Classes in Full Swing

Start your summer off right with a beginner river lesson from Alpine Kayak. One lesson is just the beginning to your entire summer of adventure. The Beginner River Lesson teaches you everything you need to know about kayaking from equipment to reading and navigating the river.

After the lesson your next step is Paddle Club every Thursday (5pm) and Sunday (2:30). A great way to meet other kayakers at the same ability as you and create lasting friendships. Even marriages are the result of paddle club!

Hope to see everyone on the river soon.  Check out this clip of a junior paddler tearing up "do it again rapid"


Learn to Kayak from ross herr on Vimeo.
Classes are going every day. Check out www.alpinequestsports.com for details or give us a call 970-926-3867

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Tuesday kayak demos make Channel 4 news

Our first kayak demo had lower flows than we had hoped for, but channel 4 news came anyways. Here is the article and TV spot

http://cbs4denver.com/entertainment/whitewater.park.vail.2.1710901.html

Hope to see everyone at the next demo every Tuesday in Vail through June.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Miah Wheeler's Uganda Video Report

Miah Wheeler, Alpine Kayak's instructor trainer, sent us over this awesome clip of his recent trip last fall to the White Nile River in Uganda, Africa. Miah has many awesome ideas in the sport of kayaking and is an incredible instructor. We were very lucky to have him re-certify all of our instructors last spring. He is dedicated to growing the sport of kayaking and an awesome asset to the Roaring Fork Valley we are now a part of. 

If you haven't stopped by the new store in Glenwood Springs please do. We are officially open and adding to the stock daily! Our new location is in the Target Shopping Center, right next to Starbucks and Gamestop. 

Enjoy Miah's Video and we look forward to seeing you on the river soon!

Uganda White Nile Fall 2009! from miah wheeler on Vimeo.
Colorado paddlers Rich Chamberlain and Miah Wheeler catch a quick adventure to central Africa to paddle the White Nile.  The upper section is currently being dammed so we had to rally to run some of the bigger class 5 rapids the Nile had to offer before they dissapear.  Insane paddling, awesome people, and a trip of a lifetime!  

Monday, April 19, 2010

Charter Academy Starts Out Strong

These young soldiers pictured below are the proud class from the Eagle County Charter Academy taking intro to kayaking with us this spring. They will be tackling all the beautiful rivers in our county the next couple of weeks. I even heard rumors of hand rolls in their very first roll session at the Avon Rec. Center! Look out for these 8th graders this summer!